The line connects with the Nahe Valley Railway (Nahetalbahn) in Langenlonsheim to the east with the partially abandoned Hochwaldbahn in Hermeskeil to the west.

In February 1945, several viaducts of the railway were destroyed as Allied forces advanced through the region, disrupting service between Morbach and Hermeskeil until repairs were completed in 1950.

DB petitioned to have the rails removed for that track component, but the Federal Railway Authority declined the application and ordered the stretch to be reactivated for use.

A higher federal appeals court however overturned that decision, citing it unreasonable that future infrastructure investment along the railway was realistic.

To demonstrate a commitment, buses connecting the remote airport with the greater Rhine-Main region would be utilized until the railway was re-activated for use.

In 2007, the Minister of Transport for Rheinland-Pfalz signed an agreement with DB to reactivate the railway, but stated that the goal to have service ready by 2010 was impractical.

Further studies showed that the entire railway required replacement of rails, sleepers, and ballasts in addition to reducing at-grade crossings.

From 2009 to 2013, an attempt to reactivate train service geared for tourists was launched on the stretch between Büchenbeuren and Hermeskeil, in addition to portions of other railways in the region.